Venting Near the Windows

Whole-House Fans

• Whole-house fans are usually located in attics or central hallways where they can pull in outside air from open windows. Similar to trickle vents, whole-house fans complement air conditioning units by increasing ventilation, thereby reducing overheating in the home. Installing whole-house fans near windows improves their performance, since these fans can draw in cool, fresh air during the early morning and nighttime hours. Manufacturers such as Air Vent, Inc. suggest calculating the square footage of living area and multiplying this number by three to determine the correct sizing and capacity for whole-house fans. Improper sizing leads to decreased airflow capacity, noisy operation and, eventually, malfunction.

Surface-Mounted Fans

• Other types of venting that you can install near windows include surface-mounted fans. These ventilation units comprise vents located in window sashes or exterior walls. Because these are passive inlet systems, surface-mounted fans are ideal for smaller living areas. Likewise, larger buildings require more than one to achieve adequate ventilation. Additionally, surface-mounted fans typically have low noise ratings, making them ideal for continuous operation throughout the day.

Trickle Venting

• Trickle vents are generally found in homes located throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. These vents are often installed along the tops of window frames or above the heads of windows. You can also install them along the top of glazing units. Trickle vents ventilate homes when windows are closed and locked, and they help filter pollutants and odors that waft in from outdoors. During the hot summer months, trickle venting units help to cool homes by reducing the amount of moisture and hot air that infiltrate the home.

Considerations

• While venting devices near windows help cool homes by exhausting hot air, outside weather and environmental conditions can affect their level of effectiveness. For example, if you live in a location with a high pollen count, attic fans and vents can bring these pollutants into the home. Likewise, venting near windows can increase indoor moisture levels in humid and tropical climates. Even if outside temperatures are cooler than inside temperatures, the increased humidity levels can offset cooling benefits inside the home.